Seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes

ABSTRACT

Seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes, including the steps of: sending, by a master, an idle sequence using 7b/10b code words over new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to sending and receiving 8b/10b data with a fixed delay over master-to-slave (m2s) and slave-to-master (s2m) active high bandwidth lanes; sending in parallel a synchronization sequence and a known non-idle sequence during an inter packet gap; utilizing, by the slave, the known non-idle sequence for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes; and sending, by the master, a transition sequence over both the m2s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes, and immediately thereafter the master is ready to transmit high bandwidth data using 8b/10b code words over both the m2s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 14/483,811, filed on Sep. 11, 2014; application Ser. No. 14/483,811 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/934,967, filed on Feb. 2, 2014. This application is also Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 14/338,548, filed on Jul. 23, 2014, that is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In order to save power in electronic devices, there is a need to turn off hardware modules, such as inter chip communication lanes (channels), when they are not in use. However, switching on and off all of the inter chip communication lanes is problematic in a fixed delay high-bandwidth communication network because a buffer is needed to maintain the fixed delay during the training phase of the additional communication lanes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method for seamless addition of new high bandwidth lanes between first and second devices includes the following steps: exchanging indications between the first and second devices about adding the new high bandwidth lanes; wherein during the exchanging of the indications, the first device sends data to the second device using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over at least one first-to-second (f2s) active high bandwidth lane, the second device sends data to the first device using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over at least one second-to-first (s2f) active high bandwidth lane, and the new high bandwidth lanes are off; wherein adding the new high bandwidth lanes is to be done smoothly and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the f2 s and s2f active high bandwidth lanes; sending, by the first device, an idle sequence using 7b/10b code words over the new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to continuing to send and receive the 8b/10b data with a fixed delay over the f2s and s2f active high bandwidth lanes; sending, by the first device over the at least one f2s active high bandwidth lane, a synchronization sequence during an inter packet gap; and further comprising sending by the first device, over the new high bandwidth lanes and in parallel to a predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, a known non-idle sequence; utilizing, by the second device, the known non-idle sequence for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes; and sending, by the first device, a transition sequence over both the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes, and immediately thereafter the first device is ready to transmit high bandwidth data using 8b/10b code words over both the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.

In another embodiment, a method for seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes, includes: Exchanging messages between a slave and a master; wherein during the exchanging of the messages, the slave sends data to the master using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over a slave-to-master (s2m) active high bandwidth lane, the master sends data to a slave using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over a master-to-slave (m2s) active high bandwidth lane, and new high bandwidth lanes are off; wherein the exchanged messages are about adding the new high bandwidth lanes to the s2m active high bandwidth lane; and wherein adding the new high bandwidth lanes is to be done smoothly and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the s2m and m2s active high bandwidth lanes. Sending, by the slave, an idle sequence using 7b/10b code words over the new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to continuing to send and receive the 8b/10b data with a fixed delay over the s2m and m2s active high bandwidth lanes. Sending, by the slave over the s2m active high bandwidth lane, a synchronization sequence during an inter packet gap; and sending by the slave, over the new high bandwidth lanes and in parallel to a predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, a known non-idle sequence. Utilizing, by the master, the known non-idle sequence for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes. And sending, by the slave, a transition sequence over both the s2m active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes, and immediately thereafter the slave is ready to transmit high bandwidth data using 8b/10b code words over both the s2m active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, including ten low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) pairs;

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of lanes configured according to an operation mode corresponding to the startup phase of the inter chip bi-directional connections;

FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, FIG. 1G, and FIG. 1H illustrate various lane operational modes with master and slave configuration;

FIG. 1I illustrates one embodiment of a system that does not include a designated clock lane;

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) that uses a word deserializer to spread the coded words over the lanes directed from the master to the slave;

FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate one embodiment of a novel method for seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes from the master to the slave;

FIG. 2D illustrates one embodiment of a method for seamless removal of high bandwidth lanes from the master to the slave;

FIG. 2E and FIG. 2F illustrate one embodiment of a novel method for seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes from the slave to the master;

FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of a method for encoding a frame;

FIG. 3C illustrates one embodiment of a method for encoding a frame having a header part and a payload part;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a communication node;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method for encoding frames utilizing line-codes having different minimum Hamming distances;

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a communication node;

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating the end of an idle sequence;

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a communication node;

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating the end of an idle sequence;

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a communication link configured to indicate a configuration change;

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating a configuration change of a communication link;

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating a configuration change of a communication link;

FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a communication link that implements frequent flow control; and

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a method for implementing a frequent flow control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, including ten low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) pairs D0 to D9. Lane D0 carries the clock from a master 210 to a slave 212. Lane D1 is a unidirectional communication link from the master 210 to the slave 212. Unidirectional lanes D2 to D8 can be utilized both ways, depending on the operation mode of the master 210 and/or the slave 212. Lane D9 is a unidirectional communication link from the slave 212 to the master 210. In one example, each LDVS lane D1 to D9 can transmit high bandwidth communication of more than 1 Gbps with 8b/10b coding. In another example, each LDVS lane D1 to D9 can transmit up to about 2.5 Gbps with 8b/10b coding. In still another example, the LVDS Clock Lane D0 operates at a frequency of 250 MHz, and the clock is provided by the master 210.

In different embodiments, the number of connections included in the inter chip bi-directional connections D0-D9 may be different from the ten illustrated low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) pairs. For example, in some embodiments, the number of connections may be greater than ten or lower than ten. However, regardless of the number of connections, the inter chip bi-directional connections are to include at least the following connections: at least one high bandwidth lane from the master to the slave, at least one high bandwidth lane from the slave to the master, and at least one unidirectional lane that can be utilized both ways depending on the operation mode of the system. In this disclosure, the order of the lanes in the inter chip bi-directional connections, e.g., as they appear in FIG. 1A, is just for illustrative purposes and any lane order may be pursued. For example, one system comprising inter chip bi-directional connections may include four LVDS pairs, including: a high bandwidth lane from the slave to the master, a unidirectional lane that can be utilized both ways depending on the operation mode, a high bandwidth lane from the master to the slave, and a clock lane. In another example, another system including inter chip bi-directional connections may include fourteen LVDS pairs, including: a high bandwidth lane from the slave to the master, eleven unidirectional lanes that can be utilized both ways depending on the operation mode, a high bandwidth lane from the master to the slave, and a clock lane.

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections. In this embodiment, the communication lanes are configured according to an operation mode corresponding to the startup phase of the inter chip bi-directional connections. The startup phase starts with setting unidirectional lanes D0 and D1 from the master 210 to the slave 212, and unidirectional lane D9 from the slave 212 to the master 210. The dotted lines of lanes D2 to D8 represent that they are off during the startup phase.

FIG. 1C illustrates a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, with the communication lanes configured according to an operational mode in which the inter chip bi-directional connections operate two unidirectional high-bandwidth lanes D1-D2 from the master 210 to the slave 212. Additionally, in this operational mode two unidirectional lanes D8-D9 are operated from the slave 212 to the master 210. The lanes D3-D7 are off when the system is in this operational mode illustrated in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1D illustrates a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, with the communication lanes configured according to an operational mode in which the inter chip bi-directional connections operate four unidirectional high-bandwidth lanes D1-D4 from the master 210 to the slave 212. Additionally, in this operational mode four unidirectional lanes D6-D9 are operated from the slave 212 to the master 210. The lane D5 is off when the system is in the operational mode illustrated in FIG. 1D.

FIG. 1E illustrates a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, with the communication lanes configured according to an operational mode in which the inter chip bi-directional connections operate eight unidirectional high-bandwidth lanes D1-D8 from the master 210 to the slave 212. Additionally, in this operational mode one unidirectional lane D9 is operated from the slave 212 to the master 210.

FIG. 1F illustrates a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, with the communication lanes configured according to an operational mode in which the inter chip bi-directional connections operate one unidirectional high-bandwidth lane D1 from the master 210 to the slave 212. Additionally, in this operational mode eight unidirectional lanes D2-D9 are operated from the slave 212 to the master 210.

FIG. 1G illustrates a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, with the communication lanes configured according to an operational mode in which the inter chip bi-directional connections operate four unidirectional high-bandwidth lanes D1-D4 from the master 210 to the slave 212. Additionally, in this operational mode one unidirectional lane D9 is operated from the slave 212 to the master 210. The lanes D5-D8 are off when the system is in the operational mode illustrated in FIG. 1G.

FIG. 1H illustrates a system that includes inter chip bi-directional connections, with the communication lanes configured according to an operational mode in which the inter chip bi-directional connections operate one unidirectional high-bandwidth lane D1 from the master 210 to the slave 212. Additionally, in this operational mode four unidirectional lanes D6-D9 are operated from the slave 212 to the master 210. The lanes D2-D5 are off when the system is in the operational mode illustrated in FIG. 1H.

In one embodiment, in order to the switch from a first operational mode to a second operational mode, while maintaining a fixed delay and without using buffers to compensate for the training time, the master 210 and the slave 212 exchange messages related to the mode switching. Optionally, the exchange is performed over lanes D1 and D9. Following that, the master 210 and the slave 212 perform lane acquisition using a known training sequence, while continuing to transmit data over the lanes that are shared among the first and second operational modes.

One of the problems of a parallel communication link, such as described in the embodiments above, is to determine, after lane acquisition, when to start transmitting data in a synchronized manner over all the lanes. In order to solve this problem, the training sequence and the idle sequence utilize a known sequence that is spread over all the high bandwidth lanes in the same direction.

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) that uses a word deserializer 224 to spread the coded words over the lanes directed from the master 210 to the slave 212. In one example, the PCS applies 7b/10b coding during the training and idle times, and 8b/10b coding during data time. The 7 bit words required for the 7b/10b coding during the training and idle times may be received from the PCS scrambler that may advance 7 bits every clock cycle. The 8 bit words required for the 8b/10b coding during the data time are received form the link layer 220. The word deserializer 224 dispatches the code words received from the PCS 222 over the high bandwidth lanes directed from the master 210 to the slave 212. In one example, the word deserializer 224 uses a predetermined scheduling, such as round robin scheduling, and serializes the words per lane, least significant bit (LSB) first.

FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate one embodiment of a novel method for seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes from the master 210 to the slave 212.

In step 240, the master 210 sends data to the slave 212 with a fixed delay over one or more master-to-slave (m2s) active high bandwidth lanes D1-D(m), denoted by 230; the slave 212 sends data to the master 210 with a fixed delay over one or more slave-to-master (s2m) active high bandwidth lanes D(10-x)-D(9), denoted by 231; and one or more new high bandwidth lanes D(m+1)-D(n), denoted by 232, are off. In order to add the new high bandwidth lanes D(m+1)-D(n) smoothly and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the m2s and s2m active high bandwidth lanes, the master 210 and slave 212 exchange messages (233 a, 233 b).

In step 241, the master 210 sends an idle sequence over the new high bandwidth lanes D(m+1)-D(n). During that time, the master 210 and the slave 212 continue to send high bandwidth data with a fixed delay over the active high bandwidth lanes 230 and 231, respectively. Optionally, the idle sequence is encoded using 7b/10b coding of the 7 LSBs of 8 bits of the master PCS scrambler.

In step 242, the master 210 sends to the slave 212, over the active high bandwidth lanes D(1)-D(m), a synchronization sequence during an inter packet gap (IPG). The synchronization sequence is encoded with a higher error resistance than the error resistance of a data payload, and thus the synchronization sequence enables the slave 212 to identify the synchronization sequence with a higher probability than the probability of identifying a data payload. In one example, the synchronization sequence includes at least one bitwise complement 7b/10b code word of the expected idle code word, followed by at least one idle 7b/10b code word. In another example, illustrated in FIG. 2B, the synchronization sequence 234 includes two bitwise complement 7b/10b code words of the expected idle code words (denoted by COMP), followed by two idle 7b/10b code words (denoted by IDLE), sent over the active high bandwidth lanes D1-D(m).

In parallel to a predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, the master 210 sends to the slave 212, over the new high bandwidth lanes D(m+1)-D(n), a known non-idle sequence that includes one or more non-idle symbols. In one example, the known non-idle sequence is a /K/ symbol. In another example, the idle sequence is encoded using 7b/10b coding of the 7 LSBs of 8 bits of the master PCS scrambler, and the known non-idle sequence is not encoded the same way as the idle sequence. In still another example, the known non-idle sequence is a bitwise complement code word of the expected idle code word. In one example, the accuracy of the predetermined point within the synchronization sequence is one bit. FIG. 2B illustrates one example where the /K/ symbol 235 is sent over the new high bandwidth lanes D(n+1)-D(m) in parallel to the second bitwise complement code word. In another example, the /K/ symbol is sent in parallel over both the m2s active high bandwidth lanes and the new high bandwidth lanes.

The /K28.5/ symbol, also known as 1K/, is a special control symbol within the 7b/10b and 8b/10b line codes. /K/ symbols scattered in a data stream allow synchronizing the master and slave. The 7b/10b line code maps 7-bit symbols to 10-bit symbols to achieve DC-balance and bounded disparity, while providing enough state changes to allow reasonable clock recovery. The /K/ symbol includes a special bit sequence that does not occur in a bit sequence generated with 7b/10b encoding even across symbol boundaries.

In step 243, the slave 212 utilizes the known non-idle sequence, which was sent in parallel to the predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes D(m+1)-D(n) in relation to the active high bandwidth lanes D1-D(m).

Optionally, steps 242-243 are repeated as needed. In one example, steps 242-243 are repeated randomly every 65 to 128 7b/10b symbols. The /K/ symbols are used by the slave 212 to synchronize itself to the 10B symbol boundaries and for deskewing lanes D(m+1)-D(n). Additionally, the slave 212 may reflect the received /K/ symbols back to the master 210 over lanes D(10-x)-D(9), enabling the master 210 to measure the round-trip delay between the master 210 and the slave 212 by counting the time between sending the /K/ symbol and receiving the reflected /K/ symbol. This unique method of transmitting at least one bitwise complement code word followed by at least one idea code word enables the slave 212 to synchronize itself on the new high bandwidth lanes, without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the active high bandwidth lanes. In one example, this unique method operates without buffers for storing and delaying the entire traffic to be sent during the setup time of the new high bandwidth lanes.

In optional step 244, the slave 212 sends to the master 210 a message indicating it is ready to receive data. Optionally, the ready message is transmitted over at least one of the active high bandwidth lanes D(10-x)-D(9) from the slave to the master. Additionally or alternatively, the slave and/or the master may count time and/or clock cycles until the slave is assumed to be ready to receive data.

And in step 245, during an IPG over the active high bandwidth lanes D1-D(m), the master 210 sends a transition sequence over both the m2s active high bandwidth lanes and the new high bandwidth lanes D1-D(n). Immediately thereafter (i.e., on the next symbol time), the master 210 is ready to transmit high bandwidth data packets over both the active and new high bandwidth lanes D1-D(n). The transition sequence includes at least one bitwise complement code word of the expected idle code word, followed by at least one idle code word that is sent over both the active and new high bandwidth lanes D1-D(n). In one example, illustrated in FIG. 2B, the transition sequence 238 includes two bitwise complement code words of the expected idle code words, followed by two idle code words, sent over the high bandwidth lanes D1-D(n), followed by high bandwidth data 239 sent over the high bandwidth lanes D1-D(n) directed from the master to the slave. The transition sequence may or may not be the same as the synchronization sequence.

In one embodiment, the difference between the idle sequence and the training sequence (used in steps 241-244) is that the training sequence also includes the /K/symbols that are not included in the idle sequence after acquiring the lanes. Other implementations may be conceived, such as implementations involving a training sequence that is based on a modified idle sequence combined with /K/ symbols.

FIG. 1I illustrates one embodiment of a system that does not include a fixed clock lane. In this case, the master and slave are generalized as first and second devices, where a specific embodiment of the first and second devices does include and clock lane between master and slave devices. It is noted that the order is not important and the master may be either the first device or the second device. FIG. 1I illustrates inter chip bi-directional connections, including nine low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) pairs D1 to D9. Lane D1 is a unidirectional communication link from the first device 214 to the second device 216. Unidirectional lanes D2 to D8 can be utilized both ways, depending on the operation mode of the first and second devices 214 and 216. Lane D9 is a unidirectional communication link from the second device 216 to the first device 214.

In one embodiment, a method for seamless addition of new high bandwidth lanes between first and second devices includes the following steps: (i) exchanging indications between the first and second devices about adding the new high bandwidth lanes; wherein during the exchanging of the indications, the first device sends data to the second device using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over at least one first-to-second (f2s) active high bandwidth lane, the second device sends data to the first device using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over at least one second-to-first (s2f) active high bandwidth lane, and the new high bandwidth lanes are off; wherein adding the new high bandwidth lanes is to be done smoothly and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the f2 s and s2f active high bandwidth lanes; (ii) sending, by the first device, an idle sequence using 7b/10b code words over the new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to continuing to send and receive the 8b/10b data with a fixed delay over the f2s and s2f active high bandwidth lanes; (iii) sending, by the first device over the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane, a synchronization sequence during an inter packet gap; and further comprising sending by the first device, over the new high bandwidth lanes and in parallel to a predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, a known non-idle sequence; (iv) utilizing, by the second device, the known non-idle sequence for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes; and (v) sending, by the first device, a transition sequence over both the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes, and immediately thereafter the first device is ready to transmit high bandwidth data using 8b/10b code words over both the at least one f2s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.

FIG. 2D illustrates one embodiment of a method for seamless removal of high bandwidth lanes from the master 210 to the slave 212.

The master 210 sends data to the slave 212 with a fixed delay over one or more m2s active high bandwidth lanes D1-D(m), denoted by 280. Additionally, the master 210 sends data to the slave 212 with a fixed delay over one or more m2s active high bandwidth lanes D(m+1)-D(n), denoted by 282. The slave 212 sends data to the master 210 with a fixed delay over one or more s2m active high bandwidth lanes D(10-x)-D(9), denoted by 281. In order to remove m2s active high bandwidth lanes 282 smoothly, and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the m2s and s2m active high bandwidth lanes 280 and 281, the master 210 and slave 212 exchange messages (283 a, 283 b). Following the exchange, the master 210 sends to the slave 212, over the active high bandwidth lanes 282, a lane off sequence during an IPG, followed by at least one idle symbol, and then the high bandwidth lanes 282 are turned off. In one example, illustrated in FIG. 2D, the lane off sequence that is sent over the high bandwidth lanes 282 includes two bitwise complement 7b/10b code words of the expected idle code words, followed by at least three idle 7b/10b code words.

FIG. 2E and FIG. 2F illustrate one embodiment of a novel method for seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes from the slave 212 to the master 210.

In step 270, the slave 212 sends data to the master 210 with a fixed delay over one or more slave-to-master (s2m) active high bandwidth lanes D(10-n)-D(9), denoted by 261. The master 210 sends data to the slave with a fixed delay over one or more master-to-slave (m2s) active high bandwidth lanes D1-D(x), denoted by 260. Additionally, during this step, one or more new high bandwidth lanes D(10-m)-D(10-n−1), denoted by 262, are off. In order to add the new high bandwidth lanes 262 smoothly, and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the m2s and s2m active high bandwidth lanes, the master 210 and slave 212 exchange messages (263 a, 263 b).

In step 271, the slave 212 sends an idle sequence over the new high bandwidth lanes 262. During that time, the master 210 and the slave 212 continue to send high bandwidth data with a fixed delay over the active high bandwidth lanes 260 and 261, respectively. Optionally, the idle sequence is encoded using 7b/10b coding of the 7 LSBs of 8 bits of the slave PCS scrambler.

In step 272, the slave 212 sends to the master 210, over the active high bandwidth lanes 261, a synchronization sequence during an IPG. The synchronization sequence is encoded with a higher error resistance than the error resistance of a data payload, and thus the synchronization sequence enables the master 210 to identify the synchronization sequence with a higher probability than the probability of identifying a data payload. In one example, the synchronization sequence includes at least one bitwise complement 7b/10b code word of the expected idle code word, followed by at least one idle 7b/10b code word. In another example, illustrated in FIG. 2E, the synchronization sequence 264 includes two bitwise complement 7b/10b code words of the expected idle code words, followed by two idle 7b/10b code words, sent over the active high bandwidth lanes 261.

In parallel to a predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, the slave 212 sends to the master 210, over the new high bandwidth lanes 262, a known non-idle sequence. In one example, the known non-idle sequence is a single /K/ symbol. FIG. 2E illustrates one example where the /K/ symbol 265 is sent over the new high bandwidth lanes 262 in parallel to the second bitwise complement code word. In another example, the /K/ symbol is sent in parallel over both the s2m active high bandwidth lanes and the new high bandwidth lanes 262.

In step 273, the master 210 utilizes the known non-idle sequence, which was sent in parallel to the predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes 262 in relation to the s2m active high bandwidth lanes 261.

Optionally, steps 272-273 are repeated as needed. In one example, steps 272-273 are repeated randomly every 65 to 128 7b/10b symbols. The /K/ symbols are used by the master 201 to synchronize itself to the 10B symbol boundaries and for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes 262. Additionally, the slave 212 may measure the round-trip delay between the slave 212 and the master 210 by counting the time between sending the /K/ symbol and receiving the reflected /K/ symbol. This unique method of transmitting at least one bitwise complement code word followed by at least one idea code word enables the master 210 to synchronize itself on the new high bandwidth lanes 262, without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the s2m and m2s active high bandwidth lanes. In one example, this unique method operates without buffers for storing and delaying the entire traffic to be sent over the s2m active high bandwidth lanes 261 during the setup time of the new high bandwidth lanes 262.

In optional step 274, the master 210 sends to the slave 212 a message indicating it is ready to receive data. Optionally, the ready message is transmitted over at least one of the m2s active high bandwidth lanes. Additionally or alternatively, the master and/or the slave may count time and/or clock cycles until the master is assumed to be ready to receive data.

And in step 275, during an IPG over the s2m active high bandwidth lanes, the slave 212 sends a transition sequence over both the s2m active high bandwidth lanes 261 and the new high bandwidth lanes 262. Immediately thereafter, the slave 212 is ready to transmit high bandwidth data packets over both the s2m active high bandwidth lanes 261 and the new high bandwidth lanes 262. The transition sequence includes at least one bitwise complement code word of the expected idle code word, followed by at least one idle code word that is sent over both the s2m active high bandwidth lanes 261 and the new high bandwidth lanes 262. In one example, illustrated in FIG. 2E, the transition sequence 268 includes two bitwise complement code words of the expected idle code words, followed by two idle code words, sent over both the s2m active high bandwidth lanes 261 and the new high bandwidth lanes 262, followed by high bandwidth data 269 sent over the s2m active high bandwidth lanes 261 and the new high bandwidth lanes 262.

FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a communication system 100. The communication system 100 includes a first node 102, which sends one or more frames over a communication channel 106, and a second node 104, which receives the frames. The first node includes an encoder 108, which encodes the frames, and a transmitter 110, which transmits the frames over the communication channel. The second node 104 includes a detector 114, which detects the frames, and a decoder 116, which decodes the frames. The first node sends a frame 112, which includes a first part 118 and a second part 120. The encoder 108 encodes the first and second parts of the frame, utilizing first and second line-codes, respectively, and the decoder 116 decodes the first and second parts of the frame, utilizing the same first and second line-codes, respectively.

In some embodiments, a line-code is a binary code, which encodes words of M binary symbols, referred to as input words, to words of N binary symbols, referred to as code words. The two values of the binary symbols are denoted herein as “one” (“1”) and “zero” (“0”). M is referred to as the input word length of the line-code, N is referred to as the code word length of the code, and the ratio of M divided by N is referred to as the rate R of the line-code. M is lower than N, and therefore R is less than 1. The output set of a line-code is the set of all code words that may be produced by the line-code, and is therefore a proper subset of the set of all 2N binary words of length N.

The first and second line-codes have input word lengths M′ and M″, respectively, binary code word lengths N′ and N″, respectively, and code rates R′ and R″, respectively. The first and second line-codes have minimum Hamming distances D′ and D″, respectively, where D″ is lower than D′.

In one embodiment, the “running disparity” at a certain binary symbol produced by the encoder is the difference between the number of “ones” and the number of “zeroes” produced by the encoder up to and including the certain symbol.

The encoder 108 maintains the running disparity over the frame 112 bounded by a predetermined value K (i.e., the absolute value of the running disparity over the frame is maintained lower than or equal to K). In one example, K is lower than N′/2. Additionally or alternatively, K may be lower than N″/2.

In one example, the initial value of the running disparity is zero. In another example, the initial value of the running disparity is minus one. In one example, the running disparity is reset to its initial value every predetermined number of frames, which may be unlimited. The running disparity may be calculated at the end of each code word, or at each symbol.

In one example, K is lower than N′/4. Additionally or alternatively, K may be lower than N″/4. In one example, K is lower than 3. In one example, K is lower than 2. The disparity of a code word is the difference between the number of “ones” and the number of “zeroes” within the word. For example, the disparity of the code word 01101100 is zero, the disparity of the code word 01111100 is two, and the disparity of the code word 01001000 is minus four.

In one embodiment, the first and second line-codes facilitate maintaining the running disparity bounded by selecting the disparity of the current code word based on the running disparity at the end of the previous code word. For example, the encoder may select a code word with a zero or negative disparity when the running disparity is positive, and selects a code word with a zero or positive disparity when the running disparity is negative, thereby maintaining the running disparity bounded.

In some embodiments, a “paired disparity” line-code is a line-code, where each input word is encoded either to a code word with a zero disparity, or to a code word selected from a set of code words containing at least one code word with a positive disparity and at least one code word with a negative disparity. A “balanced paired disparity” line-codes is a paired disparity line-codes, where each input word is encoded either to a code word with a zero disparity, or to a code word selected from a balanced pair of code words (i.e., a first code word with a positive disparity P, and a second code word with a negative disparity minus P).

In one embodiment, the first and second line-codes are paired disparity line-codes, and code word selection is based on the running disparity (i.e., when the running disparity is positive, the disparity of the next code is either zero or negative, and when the running disparity is negative, the disparity of the next code word is either zero or positive). Thereby, the absolute value of the running disparity is maintained lower than or equal to P, where P is the maximum absolute value of the disparities of all code words in the output set of the line-code. In one embodiment, the first and second line-codes are balanced paired disparity line-codes, and the encoder maintains the running disparity bounded between zero and P (inclusive) by selecting a code word with negative disparity only when the running disparity is positive. Alternatively, the encoder may maintain the running disparity between zero and minus P (inclusive), by selecting a code word with positive disparity only when the running disparity is negative. In one example, P equals 2, and the running disparity is maintained between zero and 2 (inclusive). Alternatively, the running disparity is maintained between zero and minus 2 (inclusive). In one example, the initial value of the running disparity is minus one, and the running disparity is maintained between minus one and plus one.

In one embodiment, the encoder selects the code words of the second part of the frame based on a running disparity, which is calculated from the beginning of the first part of the frame, thereby maintaining the running disparity bounded over the entire frame. The disparity of the first code word of the second frame is selected based on the running disparity calculated at the end of the first part of the frame, although the first and second parts of the frame are encoded with different line-codes. In one example, the first and second line-codes are balanced paired disparity line-codes, both with P equals 2, and the initial value of the running disparity is set to minus one. In this example, the running disparity is maintained between minus one and one (inclusive), and the absolute value of the running disparity is accordingly maintained lower than 2.

In some examples, N′ and N″ are equal, and therefore the first output set of the first line-code and the second output set of the second line-code are both subsets of the set of all binary words of length N′. Following are some examples regarding the relation between the first and second output sets. In all those examples, N′ and N″ are equal.

In one example, the first and second output sets are mutually exclusive to each other, i.e., they do not share any common code word. In another example, the first set and second output sets, are not exclusive to each other, i.e., they share at least one common code word.

In one example, the first output set is a subset of a second output set, M′ is lower than M″, and R′ is lower than R″. Accordingly, the first and second line-codes provide a trade-off between error resilience and bandwidth efficiency: the first line-code features better error resilience (D′ is higher), while the second line-code features better bandwidth efficiency (R′ is lower). In this example, the first line code may be utilized when higher error resilience is desired, thereby gaining the higher bandwidth efficiency of the second code whenever lower error resilience can be tolerated.

In one example, the first output set is not a subset of a second output set, i.e. the first output set includes at least one code word exclusive to the second output set.

The 8b/10b is a known family of balanced paired disparity line-codes with M=8, N=10, and P=2. In one example, the first output set is a subset of the output set of an 8b/10b line-code. Additionally or alternatively, the second output set may be a subset of the output set of an 8b/10b line-code.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 maintains over the frame transition density equal to or better than a predetermined transition density. The predetermined transition density may be at least one transition within any sequence of Z consecutive symbols. Z may equal 6, e.g., when the first and second output sets are subsets of the output set of the data and control words of an 8b/10b line-code. Z may also be lower than 6, e.g., when the first and second output sets are subsets of the output set of the data words of an 8b/10b line-code.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 maintains over the frame spectral uniformity equal to or better than a predetermined spectral uniformity. The encoder may receive words that are already selected to produce the required spectral uniformity. Additionally or alternatively, the encoder may randomize the stream of input words, thereby maintaining the spectral uniformity of the stream of encoded words.

In one example, the communication channel 106 includes an optical fiber. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channel may include a conductive wire, a wireless channel, and/or any other suitable communication channel.

The second part of different frames may be encoded utilizing different line-codes, e.g. encoding the second part of some frames utilizing the first line-code, and the second part of other frames utilizing the second line-code. The line-code may be selected based on conditions of the communication channel, such as received signal level, received noise level, signal to noise ratio, symbol error rate, and/or any other suitable channel condition. For example, the first line-code may be selected only when its higher error resilience capability is required due to the channel condition (e.g. the symbol error rate is higher than some accepted value). In this example, the system may benefit from the higher bandwidth efficiency of the second line-code whenever allowed by the channel condition.

Additionally or alternatively, the line-code utilized for encoding the second part of the frame may be selected based on the type of the data contained therein. For example, the second part of the frame may be encoded utilizing the first line-code only when its higher error resilience capability is required due to the type of the data (e.g. the data is highly sensitive to errors). In one example, the line-code is selected based on both data type and channel condition.

In one example, the first part of the frame may include a header of the frame, and the second part of the frame may include a payload of the frame. The first part of the frame may include an indication of the line-code utilized for encoding the second part of the frame. Accordingly, the first part of the frame may contain an indication that the second part of the frame is encoded utilizing the second line-code. The decoder 116 may select an appropriate line-code for decoding the second part of the frame based on the indication included in the first part of the frame.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 produces an idle sequence 122, which resides between the frame 112 and a following frame 124. The idle sequence includes code words of length N_idle, which may optionally be equal to N′ or to N″. In one example, the second node 104 cannot predict the starting point of the following frame 124, because the length of the idle sequence 122 is unknown. In this example, the detector 114 detects the idle sequence 122, and the decoder 116 identifies the end thereof, thereby determining the starting point of the following frame 124.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 maintains the absolute value of the running disparity over the idle sequence 122 lower than or equal to K. K may optionally be lower than N_idle/2 or lower than N_idle/4.

In one embodiment, the idle sequence is composed of code words of a fourth line-code. The idle sequence may be produced by encoding a pseudo-random sequence of binary symbols utilizing the fourth line-code. The encoder 108 may select the disparity of the current code word based on the running disparity at the end of the previous code word, as explained above regarding the first and second line-codes.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 maintains the absolute running disparity over the frame and the idle sequence lower than or equal to K. The encoder 108 may select the disparity of the first code word of the idle sequence based on the running disparity calculated at the end of the frame, although the frame and the idle sequence are encoded with different line codes. In one example, the first, second, and fourth line-codes are balanced paired disparity line-codes with P equals two, the initial value of the running disparity is set to minus one, and the absolute value of the running disparity is maintained lower than 2, although the frame and the idle sequence may be encoded with different line codes.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 maintains the transition density over the idle sequence equal to or better than the predetermined transition density of at least one transition within any sequence of Z consecutive symbols. In one example, Z equals. In another example, Z is lower than 6.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 maintains the spectral uniformity over the idle sequence equal to or better than the predetermined spectral uniformity. The spectral uniformity of the idle sequence may result from the distribution of the output set of the fourth line-code, and/or from randomizing the input of the fourth line-code.

In one embodiment, the encoder 108 maintains the running disparity, from the beginning of the frame 112 to the end of the following frame 124, bounded by K (i.e., maintaining the absolute value of the running disparity lower than or equal to K). The running disparity may be maintained bounded over a sequence of the frame 112, the following frame 124, and the idle sequence 122. Additionally or alternatively, the running disparity may be maintained bounded over a sequence of the frame 112 and the following frame 124, with no intermediate idle sequence.

In one embodiment, the following frame is encoded utilizing one or more line-codes, and the encoder 108 selects the code words of the following frame based on a running disparity, which is calculated from the beginning of the frame, thereby maintaining the running disparity bounded by K over the stream of the code words of the frame and the following frame. The disparity of the first code word of the following frame is selected based on the running disparity calculated at the end of the frame, or at the end of the idle sequence, as applicable.

In one embodiment, the following frame 124 includes a first part 126 of the following frame, and a second part 128 of the following frame, and encoder 108 encodes the first and second parts of the following frame utilizing the first line-code and a third line-code, respectively. The third line-code has input word length M′″, binary code word lengths N′″, and code rate R′″. The third line-code has a minimum Hamming distance D′″, where D′″ is lower than D″. The encoder 108 maintains the running disparity from the beginning of the frame to the end of the following frame bounded by K (i.e., the absolute value of the running disparity is maintained lower than or equal to K). In one example, the disparity of the first code word of the second part of the following frame is selected based on the running disparity calculated at the end of the first part of the second frame, although the first and the second parts of the following frame are encoded with different line codes. K may be lower than N′″/2 or lower than N′″/4, and N′″ may be equal to N′.

When N′″ is equal to N′, the first output set of the first line-code and the third output set of the third line-code are both subsets of the set of all binary words of length N′. In one example, where N′″ is equal to N′, the third output set of the third line-code is not a subset of the first output set of the first line-code (i.e., the third output set includes at least one code word exclusive to a first output set).

FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of a method for encoding a frame. The method may be performed by a first communication node, such as the first node 102 in FIG. 3A, and the frame may be the frame 112 in FIG. 3A. In addition, the method may be performed by any other communication node, or by any other suitable device. The method includes at least the following steps: In step 202, maintaining the running disparity over the frame bounded by a predetermined value K (i.e., the absolute value of the running disparity over the frame is maintained lower than or equal to K). In step 204, encoding the first part of the frame utilizing a first line-code. And in step 206, encoding the second part of the frame utilizing a second line-code. The first and second line-codes have code word lengths N′ and N″, respectively, and minimum Hamming distances D′ and D″, respectively, where D″ is lower than D′. In one example, K is lower than N′/2. Additionally or alternatively, K may be lower than N″/2.

In one example, K is lower than N′/4. Additionally or alternatively, K may be lower than N″/4. In one example, K is lower than 3. In one example, K is lower than 2.

In some examples, N′ and N″ are equal. Following are some examples regarding the relation between the first and second output sets. In all those examples, N′ and N″ are equal. In one example, the first and second output sets are mutually exclusive to each other, i.e., they do not share any common code word. In another example, the first set and second output sets, are not exclusive to each other, i.e., they share at least one common code word. In one example, the first output set is a subset of a second output set. In one example, the first output set is not a subset of a second output set, i.e. the first output set includes at least one code word exclusive to the second output set.

In one embodiment, the first output set is a subset of the output set of an 8b/10b line-code. Additionally or alternatively, the second output set may be a subset of the output set of an 8b /10b line-code.

In one embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 3B further includes maintaining over the frame transition density equal to or better than a predetermined transition density, which may be at least one transition within any sequence of Z consecutive symbols. In one example, Z equals 6. In one example, Z is lower than 6.

In one embodiment, the method further includes maintaining over the frame spectral uniformity equal to or better than a predetermined spectral uniformity.

In one embodiment, the method optionally includes an additional step of transmitting the frame over a communication channel. The step of transmitting the frame may be performed by a transmitter, such as the transmitter 110 in FIG. 3A, or by any other transmitter, or by any other suitable device.

The method may further include an optional step of detecting the frame and a step of decoding thereof, which may be performed by a second communication node, such as the second node 104 in FIG. 3A, or by any other communication node.

In one example, the first part of the frame may include the header of the frame, and the second part of the frame may include the payload of the frame. In one example, the second part of different frames may be encoded utilizing different line-codes. The line-code may be may be selected based on the type of the data carried by the certain frame, or by the state of the channel during the transmission of the certain frame, or by some combination thereof, or by any other suitable parameter. The first part of the certain frame may include an indication of the line-code utilized for encoding the second part of the certain frame, in order to facilitate utilization of an appropriate line-code for decoding the second part of the certain frame. Accordingly, the first part of the frame may contain an indication that the second part of the frame is encoded utilizing the second line-code.

In one embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 3B may further include an optional step of producing an idle sequence, which may be performed by an encoder, such as the encoder 108 in FIG. 3A, or by any other suitable encoder. The idle sequence may be the idle sequence 122 in FIG. 3A. The idle sequence includes code words of length N_idle, which may optionally be equal to N′ or to N″.

Additionally, the method may include an optional step of transmitting the idle sequence over the communication channel, which may be performed by a transmitter, such as the transmitter 110 in FIG. 3A, or by any other transmitter, or by any other suitable device. The method may optionally further include a step of detecting the idle sequence, and a step of identifying the end of the idle sequence. The step of detecting the idle sequence may be performed by a detector, such as the detector 114 in FIG. 3A, or by any other detector, or by any other suitable device; and the step of identifying the end of the idle sequence may be performed by a decoder, such as the decoder 116 in FIG. 3A, or by any other decoder, or by any other suitable device. In one example, identifying of the end of the idle sequence facilitates determining the beginning of the following frame.

In one embodiment, the step of producing an idle sequence further includes maintaining the absolute running disparity over the idle sequence lower than the predetermined value K. In one example, K is lower than N_idle/2. In one example, K is lower than N_idle/4. In one embodiment, the idle sequence is produced of code words of a fourth line-code, e.g., by encoding a pseudo-random sequence of binary symbols utilizing the fourth line-code. In one embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 3B further includes maintaining the absolute running disparity over the frame and the idle sequence lower than K. In one embodiment, the step of producing an idle sequence further includes maintaining the transition density over the idle sequence equal to or better than the predetermined transition density. In one embodiment, the step of producing an idle sequence further includes maintaining the spectral uniformity over the idle sequence equal to or better than the predetermined spectral uniformity.

In one embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 3B includes an optional step of encoding a following frame, which may be performed by an encoder, such as the encoder 108 in FIG. 3A, or by any other encoder, or by any other suitable device. In addition, the following frame may be the following frame 124 in FIG. 3A. In one example, the idle sequence 122 resides between the frame 112 and the following frame 124, and the step of encoding a following frame is accordingly performed after the step of producing an idle sequence. Additionally or alternatively, the following frame may adjacent to the frame, without an intermediate idle sequence, and the step of encoding a following frame may accordingly be performed directly after encoding the first frame, without performing the intermediate step of producing an idle sequence.

In one embodiment, the method include an optional step of transmitting the following frame over the communication channel, which may be performed by a transmitter, such as the transmitter 110 in FIG. 3A, or by any other transmitter, or by any other suitable device. Additionally, the method may include an optional step of detecting the following frame and an optional step of decoding thereof. The step of detecting the following frame may be performed by a detector, such as the detector 114 in FIG. 3A, or by any other detector, or by any other suitable device; and the step of decoding the following frame may be performed by a decoder, such as the decoder 116 in FIG. 3A, or by any other decoder, or by any other suitable device.

In one embodiment, the method further includes maintaining the running disparity, from the beginning of the frame to the end of the following frame, bounded by K (i.e., maintaining the absolute value of the running disparity lower than or equal to K). The running disparity is maintained bounded over a sequence including the frame and the following frame, with or without intermediate idle sequence.

In one embodiment, the following frame includes first and second parts of the following frame, and the step of encoding the following frame includes a step of encoding the first part of the following frame utilizing the first line-code, and a step of encoding the second part of the following frame utilizing a third line-code. The third line-code has binary code word lengths N′″ and a minimum Hamming distance D′″, where D′″ is lower than D″. The method may further include maintaining the running disparity from the beginning of the frame to the end of the following frame bounded by K (i.e., maintaining the absolute value of the running disparity lower than or equal to K). In one example, K is lower than N′″/2. In one example, K is lower than N′″/4.

N′″ may be equal to N′. In one example, in which N′ and N′″ are equal, the third output set of the third line-code is not a subset of the first output set of the first line-code (i.e., the third output set includes at least one code word exclusive to a first output set).

FIG. 3C illustrates one embodiment of a method for encoding a frame having a header part and a payload part. The method illustrated in FIG. 3C includes at least the following steps: In step 302, encoding the header part utilizing a first code having a minimal Hamming distance D1. And in step 304, encoding the payload part utilizing a second code having a minimal Hamming distance D2 higher than D1.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of transmitting the frame over a binary channel. In one embodiment, the first and second codes are first and second line-codes having binary code word lengths N1 and N2, respectively, and the method further includes maintaining the running disparity over the frame bounded by K (i.e., maintaining the absolute value of the running disparity lower than or equal to K). In one example, K is lower than N1/2. Additionally or alternatively, in one example, K is lower than N2/2. In one example, N2 equals N1.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a communication node 400. The communication node 400 may be the first node 102 of FIG. 3A. The communication node 400 includes an encoder 402 encoding frames utilizing two or more line-codes, and a transmitter 404 transmitting the frames over a communication channel 406. The frames are received by a second communication node 408. In one embodiment, each frame includes a header and a payload.

In one embodiment, encoder 402 encodes the payloads of different frames utilizing different line-codes selected from the set of two or more line-codes, while the headers of the frames are encoded utilizing the same line-code, referred to as the first line-code. In one embodiment, a payload of a certain frame is encoded utilizing a line-code selected based on the type of the data within the payload of the certain frame. In one embodiment, the header of the certain frame includes an indication of the line-code utilized for encoding the payload of the certain frame, thereby facilitating the second communication node 408 to decode the payload of the certain frame utilizing the respective line-code.

In one example, the set of two or more line-codes include the first line-code and a second line-code, having input word lengths M′ and M″, respectively, binary code word lengths N′ and N″, respectively, and code rates R′ and R″, respectively. The first and second line-codes have minimum Hamming distances D′ and D″, respectively, where D″ is lower than D′.

In one example, the encoder 402 encodes a first frame 410, which includes a first header 412 and a first payload 414, and a second frames 416, which includes a second header 418 and a second payload 420. The encoder 402 encodes the first and second header utilizing the first line-code, and the first and second payloads utilizing the first and second line-codes, respectively.

In one example, the first line-code is selected for encoding the first payload based on a first data type of a first data included in the first payload, and the second line-code is selected for encoding the second payload based on a second data type of a second data included in the second payload.

In one example, the selection of a line-code for encoding the payload of a certain frame may be based only on the respective data type of the data included therein. In another example, line-code selection may be further based on other applicable criteria, such as a criterion based on the condition of the communication channel, or any other suitable criterion. The applicable criteria may be based on channel condition such as signal to noise ratio, symbol error rate, and/or any other suitable channel condition. However, in both examples the selection is affected by the respective data type.

In one example, the communication channel 406 is characterized by first and second channel conditions, which are respectively associated with the transmission of the first and second frames. In this example, the first and second line-codes may be selected for encoding the first and second payloads, respectively, although the differences between the first and second channel conditions are not enough for implying selection of different line-codes.

In one embodiment, the encoder 402 maintains the absolute value of the running disparity, form the beginning of the first frame to the end of the second frame, lower than or equal to a predetermined value K. In one example, K is lower than N′/2. Additionally or alternatively, in one example K is lower than N″/2.

In one example, K is lower than N′/4. Additionally or alternatively, K may be lower than N″/4. In one example, K is lower than 3. In one example, K is lower than 2.

In some examples, N′ and N″ are equal. Following are some examples regarding the relation between the first and second output sets. In all those examples, N′ and N″ are equal. In one example, the first and second output sets are mutually exclusive to each other, i.e., they do not share any common code word. In another example, the first set and second output sets, are not exclusive to each other, i.e., they share at least one common code word. In one example, the first output set is a subset of a second output set. In one example, the first output set is not a subset of a second output set.

In one embodiment, the first output set is a subset of the output set of an 8b /10b line-code. Additionally or alternatively, the second output set may be a subset of the output set of an 8b /10b line-code.

In one embodiment, the encoder 402 maintains, from the beginning of the frame to the end of the second frame, transition density equal to or better than a predetermined transition density, which is at least one transition within any sequence of Z consecutive symbols. In one example, Z equals 6. In one example, Z is lower than 6. In one embodiment, the encoder 402 maintains, from the beginning of the frame to the end of the second frame, spectral uniformity equal to or better than a predetermined spectral uniformity.

In one example, the communication channel 406 includes an optical fiber. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channel may include a conductive wire, a wireless channel, and/or any other suitable communication channel. In one example, the first header includes an indication that the first payload is encoded utilizing the first line-code, and the second header includes an indication that the second payload is encoded utilizing the second line-code.

In one embodiment, the encoder 402 produces an idle sequence 422, which resides between the first frame 410 and a second frame 416, and includes code words of length N_idle. In one example, N_idle may be equal to N′. Additionally or alternatively, N_idle may be equal to N″.

In one embodiment, the encoder 402 maintains the absolute value of the running disparity, over the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame, lower than or equal to K. K may optionally be lower than N_idle/2, or lower than N_idle/4.

In one embodiment, the encoder 402 maintains the transition density, over the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame, equal to or better than the predetermined transition density. In one embodiment, the encoder 420 maintains the spectral uniformity over the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame, equal to or better than the predetermined spectral uniformity.

In one example, the set of two or more line-codes further includes a third line-code having input word length M′″, binary code word length N′″, code rate R′″, and minimum Hamming distance D′″, which is different from D″.

In one example, the encoder 402 encodes a third frame 424 including a third header 426, and third payload 428, and the third payload 428 includes a third data 430 having a third data type, and a fourth data 432 having a fourth data type. Encoder 402 encodes the third header 426, the third data 430, and the forth data 432, utilizing the first, second and third line-codes, respectively, which are selected for encoding the third data 430 and the fourth data 432, respectively, based on a third and fourth data types, respectively.

In one example, D′″ is lower than D″, and R′″ is higher than R″. In this example the fourth data features higher bandwidth efficiency (R′″>R″) but lower error resilience (D′″>D″) than the third data. In another example the third line-code coincides with the first line-code, and D′″ is equal to D′.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method for encoding frames utilizing line-codes having different minimum Hamming distances. The method illustrated in FIG. 5 involves encoding at least first and second frames, utilizing at least first and second line-codes, and transmitting the frames over a communication channel. The method may be performed by a communication node such as the communication node 400 in FIG. 4, or by other communication node, or by any other suitable device. In one example, the first and second frames include first and second headers, respectively, and first and second payloads, respectively. The first and second frames may be the first and second frames 410 and 416 in FIG. 4. The frames may be received by a second communication node, such as the second communication node 408 in FIG. 4, or any other suitable device. The first and second line-codes have binary code word lengths N′ and N″, respectively, and minimum Hamming distances D′ and D″, respectively, where D″ is lower than D′.

In one embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 5 includes at least the following steps: In a step 502, maintaining, from the beginning of the first frame to the end of a second frame, the absolute value of running disparity lower than or equal to a predetermined value K. In one example, K is lower than N′/2. Additionally or alternatively, K may be lower than N″/2. In step 504, encoding the first header utilizing the first line-code. In step 505, selecting the first line-code for encoding the first payload based on a first data type of a first data included in the first payload. In step 506, encoding the first payload utilizing the first line-code. In step 508, encoding the second header utilizing the first line-code. In step 509, selecting the second line-code for encoding the second payload based on a second data type of a second data included in the second payload. In step 510, encoding the second payload utilizing the second line-code. And in step 512, transmitting the first and second frames over the communication channel.

In one example, the communication channel is characterized by first and second channel conditions, which are respectively associated with the transmission of the first and second frames. In this example, the first and second line-codes are selected for encoding the first and second payloads, respectively, although the differences between the first and second channel conditions are not enough for implying selection of different line-codes.

In one example, K is lower than N′/4. Additionally or alternatively, K may be lower than N″/4. K may optionally be is lower than 3, or lower than 2. In some examples, N′ and N″ are equal. Following are some examples regarding the relation between the first and second output sets. In all those examples, N′ and N″ are equal. In one example, the first and second output sets are mutually exclusive to each other, i.e., they do not share any common code word. In another example, the first set and second output sets, are not exclusive to each other, i.e., they share at least one common code word. In one example, the first output set is a subset of a second output set. In one example, the first output set is not a subset of a second output set. In one example, the first output set is a subset of the output set of an 8b /10b line-code. Additionally or alternatively, the second output set may be a subset of the output set of an 8b /10b line-code.

In one embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 5 further includes maintaining, from the beginning of the frame to the end of the second frame, transition density equal to or better than a predetermined transition density, which is at least one transition within any sequence of Z consecutive symbols. In one example, Z equals 6. In one example, Z is lower than 6.

In one embodiment, the method further includes maintaining, from the beginning of the frame to the end of the second frame, spectral uniformity equal to or better than a predetermined spectral uniformity.

In one example, the communication channel includes an optical fiber. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channel may include a conductive wire, a wireless channel, and/or any other suitable communication channel.

In one example, the first header includes an indication that the first payload is encoded utilizing the first line-code, and the second header includes an indication that the second payload is encoded utilizing the second line-code.

The method illustrated in FIG. 5 may further include an optional step of producing an idle sequence, which may be performed by an encoder, such as the encoder 402 in FIG. 4, or by any other suitable encoder. The idle sequence may be the idle sequence 422 in FIG. 4. The idle sequence includes code words of length N_idle, which may optionally be equal to N′ or to N″.

In one embodiment, the method further involves maintaining the absolute value of the running disparity, over the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame, lower than or equal to K. K may optionally be lower than N_idle/2, or lower than N_idle/4.

In one embodiment, the method further involves maintaining the transition density, over the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame, equal to or better than the predetermined transition density.

In one embodiment, the method further involves maintaining the spectral uniformity over the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame, equal to or better than the predetermined spectral uniformity.

In one example, the set of two or more line-codes further includes a third line-code having input word length M′″, binary code word length N′″, code rate R′″, and minimum Hamming distance D′″, which is different from D″.

In one example, the method illustrated in FIG. 5 may further include an optional step of encoding a third frame including a third header and third payload. The step of encoding the third frame may be performed by an encoder, such as the encoder 402 in FIG. 4, or by any other encoder, or by any other suitable device. In addition, the third frame may be the third frame 428 in FIG. 4. The third payload includes a third data and a fourth data, having third and fourth data types, respectively. The third header is encoded utilizing the first line-code, and the third and fourth data are encoded utilizing the second and third line-codes, respectively, which are selected based on a third and fourth data types, respectively. In one example, D′″ is lower than D″. In another example the third line-code coincides with the first line-code, and D′″ is equal to D′.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a communication node 600. The communication node 600 may be the first node 102 in FIG. 3A, or the communication node 400 in FIG. 4, or any other suitable communication node. The communication node 600 includes at least an encoder 602 and an idle sequence modifier 604. The communication node 600 may further include a transmitter 606.

The encoder 602 encodes a first frame 608, a basic idle sequence 610, and a second frame 612. The first frame 608, the basic idle sequence 610, and the second frame 612 include code words, and the length of the idle sequence (measured in words) is denoted by X. The code words may include binary symbols, i.e. symbols belonging to an alphabet consisting of two values. Alternatively, the symbols may belong to a non-binary alphabet, i.e. an alphabet consisting of more than two values.

The idle sequence modifier 604 modifies the basic idle sequence 610 into an idle sequence 614, by replacing M certain code words out of the X code words of the basic idle sequence with M alternative code words. The M alternative code words are not unique, i.e., each alternative code word belongs to the same output set as the code words of the idle sequence. Therefore, in one example, each alternative code word is equal to at least one code word of the idle sequence.

In one example, the first frame 608, the idle sequence 614, and the second frame 612 are transmitted by the transmitter 606 over a communication channel 620, and received by a second communication node 622, which includes a detector 624 and a decoder 626. The detector produces a detected first frame 627, a detected idle sequence 628, and a detected second frame 629, also referred to as the received firsts frame, the received idle sequence, and the received second frame. The code words of the detected first frame, the detected idle sequence, and the detected second frame may include one or more erroneous detected symbols, i.e. detected symbols that are different from the respective transmitted symbols. The erroneous symbols are referred to as channel errors.

In one example, the second communication node 622 does not know in advance the length X of the idle sequence, and therefore the decoder 624 does not know in advance the starting point of the detected second frame 629. Furthermore, the decoder 624 is unable to determine the starting point of the detected second frame 629 by inspecting the detected idle sequence 628 per se, since the idle sequence by itself does not indicate its end.

The code words of the basic idle sequence 610 are known in advance to the second communication node 622. For example, the encoder 602 may produce the basic idle sequence utilizing a certain algorithm (e.g. a pseudo random symbol generator) and certain one or more parameters thereof (e.g. initial state of the generator), and the second communication node may produce an identical replica of the basic idle sequence by utilizing the same certain algorithm and the same certain one or more parameters thereof.

The decoder 624 compares the detected idle sequence 628 with a replica of the basic idle sequence 610, and determines the differences between respective code words of the two sequences, which are referred to as the detected differences. In case of no channel errors, the detected differences are identical to the differences between the code words of the basic idle sequence 610 and the respective code words of the idle sequence 614, the latter differences being accordingly referred to as the error-free differences. As explained above, the error-free differences include X-M zero words, and M non-zero words.

A sub-sequence of the error-free differences, which includes the M non-zero words, is referred to as the synchronization sequence. The synchronization sequence is located at a predetermined distance from the end of the idle sequence 614, and the end of the detected idle sequence 628 may be determined by determining the presence of the synchronization sequence.

In one example, M equals one, and the synchronization sequence is a single non-zero word located at a predetermined distance from the end of the idle sequence, for example at the end of the idle sequence. In another example, M is higher than one, and the M non-zero code words are located at predetermined distances from the end of the idle sequence. The M non-zero code words may be consecutive, or not consecutive.

The idle sequence modifier 604 determines the value of each alternative code word to be different from the value of the respective certain code word within the basic idle sequence 610, thereby resulting in the M non-zero words of the synchronization sequence. In one example, the idle sequence modifier 604 determines the value of each alternative code word based only on the value of the respective basic code word appearing in the basic idle sequence 610, thereby resulting in a deterministic synchronization sequence. In another example, the idle sequence modifier 604 may determine the value of each alternative code word based also on other considerations, thereby resulting in different synchronization sequences. The other consideration may be, for example, line-code related considerations, such as running disparity.

The detected sequence of differences may include channel errors. However, in one example, the synchronization sequence facilitates detection thereof also in presence of channel errors, as long as the number of channel errors does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

The difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence may be measured using Hamming distance. When the number of alternative code words is one, the decoder decides between to hypotheses: a first hypothesis that the received word represents an original code word of the basic idle sequence, and a second hypothesis that the received word represents an alternative code word. In this example, T is equal to the integer part of (D_idle 1)/2, where D_idle is the Hamming distance between the two hypotheses, i.e., the distance between the alternative code word and the respective code word in the basic idle sequence.

In one example, D_idle is equal to or higher than 3. In one example, the code words of the idle sequence have code word length N_idle, and D_idle is higher than or equal to N_idle/2. In one example, at least N_idle 1 symbols, out of the N_idle symbols of the alternative code word, are different from the respective symbols of the certain code word. In this example, D_idle is higher than or equal to N_idle 1. In one example, all N_idle symbols of the alternative code word are different from the respective symbols of the certain code word. In this example, D_idle equals N_idle.

In one example, the communication channel 606 includes an optical fiber. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channel may include a conductive wire, a wireless channel, and/or any other suitable communication channel.

In one embodiment, the encoder 602 maintains over the idle sequence 614 an absolute running disparity lower than or equal to K, which is lower than N_idle/2. In one example, K is lower than N_idle/4. In one example, K is lower than 3. In one example, K is lower than 2.

In one example, the first output set of the first line-code is a subset of the output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In this example, each code word of the basic idle sequence is included within an output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In one example, the alternative code words are also included within the first output set, and therefore each code word of the idle sequence is included within the output set output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In one example, the first line-code is an 8b /10b line-code.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating the end of an idle sequence. The method illustrated in FIG. 7 may be performed by the first communication node 600 in FIG. 6. In addition, the method may be performed by any other communication node, or by any other suitable device. The method includes at least the following steps:

In step 702, encoding a first frame. Step 702 may be performed by the encoder 602 in FIG. 6, or by any other suitable encoder. Additionally, the first frame may be the first frame 608 in FIG. 6.

In step 704, encoding a basic idle sequence, which includes code words. Step 704 may be performed by the encoder 602 in FIG. 6, or by any other suitable encoder. Additionally, the basic idle sequence may be the basic idle sequence 610 in FIG. 6.

In step 706, producing an idle sequence by replacing certain M code words of the idle sequence with M alternative code words. Step 706 may be performed by the idle sequence modifier 604 in FIG. 6, or by any other suitable device. Additionally, the idle sequence may be the idle sequence 614 in FIG. 6. The M alternative code words belong to the same output set as the code words of the idle sequence.

And in step 710, encoding a second frame. Step 710 may be performed by the encoder 602 in FIG. 6, or by any other suitable encoder. Additionally, the second frame may be the second frame 612 in FIG. 6.

The method illustrated in FIG. 7 may further includes an optional step of transmitting the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame over a communication channel, which may be performed by the transmitter 608 in FIG. 6, or by any other suitable transmitter. Furthermore, the communication channel may be the communication channel 620 in FIG. 6, or any other suitable communication channel. The first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame may be detected and decoded by a second communication node. The code words of the detected idle sequence may include one or more channel errors.

In one example, the second communication node is unable to determine the starting point of the detected second frame by inspection the detected idle sequence per se, because the second communication node does not know in advance the length of the idle sequence, and the idle sequence by itself does not indicate its end.

In one embodiment, the code words of the basic idle sequence are known in advance to the second communication node, which compares the received idle sequence with a replica of the basic idle sequence. Based on the sequence of differences between the received idle sequence and replica of the basic idle sequence, the second communication node determines the end of the detected idle sequence, thereby determining the starting point of the detected second frame. Furthermore, the second communication node should be able to determine the end of the detected idle sequence correctly, as long as the number of channel errors does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

In one example, the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence is measured using Hamming distance. When the idle sequence include a single alternative code word, T is equal to the integer part of (D_idle 1)/2, where D_idle is the Hamming distance between the alternative code word and the respective code word in the basic idle sequence. In this example, the second communication node is able to determine the end of the detected idle as long as the number of channel errors within the detected idle sequence is lower than D_idle/2.

In one example, D is equal to or higher than 3. In one example, the code words of the idle sequence have code word length N_idle, and D is higher than or equal to N_idle/2. In one example, D_idle is higher than or equal to N_idle−1. In one example, D_idle equals N_idle.

In one embodiment, the method further includes maintaining over the idle sequence an absolute running disparity lower than or equal to K, which is lower than N_idle/2.

K may optionally be lower than N_idle/4, lower than 3, or lower than 2.

In one example, each code word of the basic idle sequence is included within an output set consisting of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line code. In one example, each code word of the idle sequence is included within the output set output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line code.

In one embodiment, the step 704 of encoding the basic idle sequence further includes maintaining over the basic idle sequence transition density equal to or better than a predetermined transition density. In one example, the predetermined transition density is at least one transition within any sequence of 6 consecutive symbols. In one embodiment, the step 706 of producing the idle sequence further includes maintaining over the idle sequence 614 transition density equal to or better than the predetermined transition density.

In one embodiment, the step 704 of encoding the basic idle sequence further includes maintaining over the frame spectral uniformity equal to or better than a predetermined spectral uniformity.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a communication node 800. The communication node 800 may be the first node 102 in FIG. 3A, the communication node 400 in FIG. 4, or any other suitable communication node. The communication node 800 includes at least an encoder 802 and an idle sequence modifier 804. In one embodiment, the communication node 600 further includes a transmitter 806.

In one example, the encoder 802 encodes a first frame 808, a basic idle sequence 810, and a second frame 812. The first frame 808, the basic idle sequence 810, and the second frame 812 include symbols. In one example, the symbols are binary symbols, i.e. symbols belonging to an alphabet consisting of two values. Alternatively, the symbols may belong to a non-binary alphabet, i.e. an alphabet consisting of more than two values.

In one embodiment, the idle sequence modifier 804 modifies the basic idle sequence 810 into an idle sequence 814, by replacing M certain symbols of the basic idle sequence with M alternative symbols. The M alternative symbols belong to the same alphabet as the symbols of the idle sequence. Therefore, in one example, each alternative symbol is equal to at least one symbol of the idle sequence.

In one example, the first frame 808, the idle sequence 814, and the second frame 812 are transmitted by the transmitter 806 over a communication channel 820, and received by a second communication node 822, which includes a detector 824 and a decoder 826. The detector produces a detected first frame 827, a detected idle sequence 828, and a detected second frame 829, also referred to as the received first frame, the received idle sequence, and the received second frame, respectively. In one example, the detected first frame, the detected idle sequence, and the detected second frame may include one or more channel errors.

In one example, the decoder 824 is unable to determine the starting point of the detected second frame 829 by inspection the detected idle sequence 828 per se, because the second communication node 822 does not know in advance the length of the idle sequence, and the idle sequence by itself does not include an indication of its end.

In one embodiment, the code words of the basic idle sequence are known in advance to the second communication node 822, and the decoder 824 compares the received idle sequence with a replica of the basic idle sequence. The sequence of differences between the received idle sequence and the basic idle sequence is referred to as the detected sequence of differences. The differences may be represented in binary symbols, where zero indicates no difference between the two symbols being compared. The decoder 824 correlates the detected sequence of differences with a synchronization sequence, which represents the difference between the basic idle sequence and the idle sequence. Based on the correlation, the second communication node determines the end of the detected idle sequence, thereby determining the starting point of the detected second frame.

In one example, the synchronization sequence is a Barker sequence of length 13. The weight (i.e. number of non-zero symbols) of this synchronization sequence is 9, and its maximum side-lobe is one. Therefore, in this example, T is equal to 3.

In one embodiment, the difference between the received idle sequence and the basic idle sequence is determined by a detector configured to identify a synchronization sequence. In one example, the difference is a single symbol and deterministic, therefore the detector compares the symbol with the basic idle sequence. In another example, the difference is not deterministic, and the operation of the encoder is reconstructed in the receiver, which checks whether the hypothesis that the idle sequence ends at a certain symbol is correct, or the hypothesis that the idle sequence does not end at the certain symbol is correct.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a communication system 900. The communication system 900 may be the communication system 100 in FIG. 3A, or any other suitable communication system. The communication system 900 includes at least a first node 902 and a second node 904. In embodiment, the first node 902 includes an encoder 906 and a transmitter 908. In one example, the first node 902 communicates with the second node 904 over a communication channel 910. The second node may include a detector 912 and a decoder 914.

In one example, the encoder 906 encodes a first frame 916, an idle sequence 918, and a second frame 920, utilizing one or more line-codes, and the transmitter 908 transmits them over the communication channel 910. The first frame 916, idle sequence 918, and second frame 920 may be the frame 112, idle sequence 122, and following frame 124, respectively, in FIG. 3A. The first frame, idle sequence, and second frame may be received (detected) by the detector 912 and decoded by the decoder 914, and the received first frame 922, received idle sequence 924, and received second frame 926 may include channel errors. In one example, the length X of the idle sequence is not known in advance to the second node 914.

In one example, the idle sequence 918 is based on a basic idle 930 having X code words, which is obtained utilizing a first line-code having a binary code word length N_idle. The idle sequence differs from the basic idle sequence in M out of the X code words. In one embodiment, the encoder 906 determines X minus M code words of the idle sequence to be equal to the corresponding X minus M code words of a basic idle sequence. The encoder 906 further determines the remaining M code words of the idle sequence to be alternative code words, which are different from the corresponding M code words of the idle sequence. In one example, the M alternative code words are not unique, i.e., each alternative code word belongs to the same output set as the code words of the idle sequence. Therefore, in one example, each alternative code word is equal to at least one code word of the basic idle sequence. In one example, each alternative code word belongs to the same output set as the code words of the second frame. Therefore, in one example, each alternative code word is equal to at least one code word of the second frame.

In one example, M equals one, and the single alternative code word is located at a predetermined distance from the end of the idle sequence. In one example, the single alternative code word is located at the end of the idle sequence. In another example, M is higher than one. In one example, the M alternative code words are located at predetermined distances from the end of the idle sequence. The M alternative code words may be consecutive, or not consecutive.

In one embodiment, the encoder 906 maintains over the idle sequence absolute value of running disparity lower than or equal to K. In one example K is lower than N_idle/2.

In one example, the first frame 916, idle sequence 918, and second frame 920 are transmitted by the transmitter 908 over the communication channel 910, and received by the second node 904. The detector 912 of the second node produces a detected first frame 622, a detected idle sequence 624, and a detected second frame 626, also referred to as the received firsts frame, the received idle sequence, and the received second frame. The code words of the detected first frame, the detected idle sequence, and the detected second frame may include one or more channel errors.

In one example, the second node 904 does not know in advance the length X of the idle sequence 918, and therefore the decoder 614 does not know in advance the starting point of the detected second frame 626. Furthermore, the decoder 614 is unable to determine the starting point of the detected second frame 626 by inspection the detected idle sequence 624 per se, since the idle sequence by itself does not indicates its end.

In one embodiment, the code words of the basic idle sequence are known in advance to the second node 904. In one embodiment, the decoder 914 compares the detected idle sequence 624 with a replica of the basic idle sequence, thereby producing a detected sequence of differences, which is the sequence of differences between the code words of the detected idle sequence 624 and the respective code words of the basic idle sequence. Based on the detected sequence of differences, the decoder 914 determines the end of the detected idle sequence 624, thereby determining the starting point of the detected second frame 626. Furthermore, the decoder 914 should be able to determine the end of the detected idle sequence 624 correctly, as long as the number of channel errors within the detected idle sequence 624 does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

In one example, the encoder 906 obtains the basic idle sequence 930 by encoding the output of a pseudorandom bit generator. In one example, the pseudorandom bit generator starts at a predetermined state. The decoder 914 may produce a replica of the basic idle sequence by utilizing the same pseudo random bit generator, starting at the same predetermined state.

In one example, the second frame 920 includes a header and a payload. In one example, the encoder encodes the header utilizing a second line-code, and the first output set of all words of the first line-code and the second output set of all code words produced by the second line-code are mutually exclusive to each other.

In one example, the encoder 906 encodes the payload utilizing a third line-code, and the third output set of all code words produced by the third line-code and the first output set have at least one common code word.

In one example, the encoder 906 encodes the payload utilizing the first line-code.

In one example, the encoder 906 encodes the payload utilizing a third line-code, and each one of the code words of the idle sequence belongs to a third output set of all code words produced by the third line-code.

In one example, the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence is measured using Hamming distance. When the idle sequence include a single alternative code word, the decoder 914 is able to determine the end of the detected idle sequence 924 as long as the number of channel errors within the detected idle sequence is lower than D_idle/2, where D_idle is the Hamming distance between the alternative code word and the respective code word in the basic idle sequence.

In one example, D_idle is equal to or higher than 3. In one example, D_idle is higher than or equal to N_idle/2. In one example, D_idle is higher than or equal to N_idle 1. In one example, D_idle equals N_idle.

In one example, the communication channel 910 includes an optical fiber. Additionally or alternatively, the communication channel may include a conductive wire, a wireless channel, and/or any other suitable communication channel.

In one example, the encoder 906 maintains the absolute value of the running disparity, from a beginning of a first frame to an end of the second frame, lower than or equal to K.

In one example, K is lower than N_idle/4. In one example, K is lower than 3. In one example, K is lower than 2.

In one example, the first output set of the first line-code is a subset of the output set of all code words of an 8b /10b line-code. In this example, each code word of the basic idle sequence is included within an output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In one example, the alternative code words are also included within the first output set, and therefore each code word of the idle sequence is included within the output set output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In one example, the first line-code is an 8b /10b line-code.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating the end of an idle sequence. The method illustrated in FIG. 10 may be performed by the first communication node 900 in FIG. 9. In addition, the method may be performed by any other communication node, or by any other suitable device. The method involves encoding and transmitting a first frame, a second frame, and an idle sequence residing between the first frame and the second frame. The first frame, idle sequence, and second frame include code words. The code words of the idle sequence have binary code word length N_idle. The method includes at least the following steps: In step 1002, maintaining, from the beginning of the first frame to the end of the second frame, the absolute value of running disparity lower than or equal to K. In one example, K is lower than N_idle/2. In step 1004, encoding the first frame. In step 1006, encoding a basic idle sequence utilizing a first line-code having a binary code word length N_idle. In step 1008, producing an idle sequence by replacing M code words of the basic idle sequence with M alternative code words. In one example, each one of the M alternative code words is equal to at least one code word of the basic idle sequence. In step 1010, encoding the second frame. In step 1012, transmitting the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame over a communication channel. And in step 1014, receiving the second frame by a second communication node. In one example, the second communication node is unable to determine a starting point of the second frame based only on the idle sequence and the second frame, but is able to determine the starting point of the second frame based on the difference between the basic idle sequence and the idle sequence. In one example, the difference between the basic idle sequence and the idle sequence facilitates determine the starting point of the second frame even in presence of one or more channel errors.

In one example, the step 1006 of encoding the basic idle sequence includes encoding the output of a pseudorandom bit generator, which may start at a predetermined state.

In one example, the header of the second frame is encoded utilizing a second line-code, where the first and second output sets of all code words of the first and second line-codes, respectively, are mutually exclusive to each other.

In one example, the payload of the second frame is encoded utilizing a third line-code, where the first and third output sets of all code words of the first and third line-codes, respectively, have at least one common code word.

In one example, the payload of the second frame is encoded utilizing the first line-code.

In one example, payload of the second frame is encoded utilizing a third line-code, where each one of the code words of the idle sequence belongs to a third output set of all code words of the third line-code.

In one example, the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence is measured using Hamming distance. When the idle sequence includes a single alternative code word, the second communication node is able to determine the end of the idle sequence as long as the number of channel errors within the idle sequence is lower than D_idle/2, where D_idle is the Hamming distance between the alternative code word and the respective code word in the basic idle sequence.

In one example, D_idle is equal to or higher than 3. In one example, D_idle is higher than or equal to N_idle/2. In one example, D_idle is higher than or equal to N_idle 1. In one example, D_idle equals N_idle.

In one example, K is lower than N_idle/4. K may optionally be lower than 3, or lower than 2.

In one example, the first output set of the first line-code is a subset of the output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In this example, each code word of the basic idle sequence is included within an output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In one example, the alternative code words are also included within the first output set, and therefore each code word of the idle sequence is included within the output set output set of all code words produced by an 8b /10b line-code. In one example, the first line-code is an 8b /10b line-code.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a communication link configured to indicate a configuration change by replacing certain idle code words with bitwise complement code words. Transmitter 650 includes an encoder configured to encode a first frame 658, a basic idle sequence 660, and a second frame 662, wherein the first frame, the basic idle sequence, and the second frame include code words. The transmitter 650 further includes an idle sequence modifier 654 configured to produce an idle sequence 664 by replacing certain M code words of the basic idle sequence 660 with M bitwise complement code words, wherein each bitwise complement code word appears in the basic idle sequence 660. Bitwise complement, also known as bitwise NOT, applies logical negation on each bit, forming the ones' complement of a given binary value. For unsigned integers, the bitwise complement of a number is the mirror reflection of the number across essentially the half-way point of the unsigned integer's range.

Receiver 672 receives from the transmitter 650, over link 670, the first frame 658, the idle sequence 664, and the second frame 662. The receiver 672 acquires the basic idle sequence 660 before it receives the idle sequence 664, for example, during the setup phase of the communication link, as part of a handshaking processes between the transmitter 650 the receiver 672, and/or from a preprogrammed memory. Then the receiver 672 identifies a change in configuration of the communication link based on a difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence. Optionally, the receiver may also identify the starting point of the second frame based on the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence. Optionally, the receiver may utilize different subsets of the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence in order to identify the change in configuration of the communication link and in order to identify the starting point of the second frame. Additionally or alternatively, the M bitwise complement code words may be located at M predetermined locations relative to the end of the idle sequence. In one example, the receiver 672 includes a detector 674 configured to detect the first frame 677 and the second frame 679. The receiver 672 may also include a decoder 676 as known in the art.

The receiver 672 may identify different types of configuration changes based on the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, such as a modulation change, a change in number of active communication channels between the transmitter and the receiver, and/or a change in power consumption of the communication link. In one embodiment, the code words are symbols, and the communication link utilizes 8b/10b encoding.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating a configuration change of a communication link by replacing certain idle code words with bitwise complement code words. The method includes the following steps: In step 250, encoding a first frame, a basic idle sequence, and a second frame. Wherein the first frame, the basic idle sequence, and the second frame include code words. In step 252, producing, by a transmitter, an idle sequence by replacing certain M code words of the basic idle sequence with M bitwise complement code words. Wherein each bitwise complement code word appears in the basic idle sequence. In step 254, receiving, by a receiver, the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame. Wherein the basic idle sequence is known to the receiver. And in step 256, identifying, by the receiver, a change in configuration of the communication link based on a difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence.

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a method for indicating a configuration change of a communication link by replacing certain idle code words with bitwise complement code words. The method includes the following steps: In step 350, encoding a first frame, a basic idle sequence, and a second frame. Wherein the first frame, the basic idle sequence, and the second frame include code words. In step 352, producing, by a transmitter, an idle sequence by replacing certain M code words of the basic idle sequence with M bitwise complement code words. Wherein each bitwise complement code word appears in the basic idle sequence. In step 354, receiving, by a receiver, the first frame, the idle sequence, and the second frame. Wherein the basic idle sequence is known to the receiver. In step 356, calculating, by the receiver, a difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence. In step 358, utilizing the difference to identify at least a non-zero subset of the M code words that were replaced with the bitwise complement code words. And in step 360, identifying a change in configuration of the communication link based on the non-zero subset of the M code words.

The identifying of the change may be achieved in various ways. Optionally, the identifying of the change is based on positions of the non-zero subset of the M code words relative to the starting point of the second frame. Optionally, the identifying of the change is based on a pattern generated by the non-zero subset of the M code words. Optionally, the identifying of the change is based on the number of the non-zero subset of the M code words.

FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a communication link that implements frequent flow control without using unique symbols or designated packets, by replacing certain idle words with bitwise complement words. The communication link includes at least a first device 140, a full-duplex communication link 142, and a second device 144. In one embodiment, the first device 140 sends to a second device 144, over the full-duplex communication link 142, high throughput packet communication of more than 1 Gb/s. The second device 144 includes at least a buffer 146 for temporarily storing the high throughput packet communication, a basic idle code word sequence calculator 148 for calculating a basic idle code word sequence known to the first device 140, an idle sequence modifier 150 for producing an idle sequence by replacing certain M code words of the basic idle sequence with M bitwise complement code words, and a transmitter 152 configured to transmit the idle sequence to the first device 140 during inter-packet gap. Wherein each bitwise complement code word appears in the basic idle sequence and the M bitwise complement code words are indicative of the fullness of the buffer. The first device receives the idle sequence and determines at least one of the following, based on a difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence: (i) that the buffer is full or expected to get full and thus the first device stops sending packets to the second device, (ii) that the rate is proper and thus the first device continues sending packets at essentially the same rate to the second device, (iii) that the buffer is almost empty and thus the first device can increase the rate of sending packets to the second device.

In one embodiment, the first device 140 receives the idle sequence and determines, based on the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer 146 of the second device 144 is full or expected to get full, and thus the first device stops sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a second idle sequence to the first device during a following inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the second idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is not full and thus the first device resumes sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a third idle sequence to the first device during a third inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the third idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is not expected to get full in the current rate, and thus the first device increases its rate of sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a fourth idle sequence to the first device during a fourth inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the fourth idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is expected to get full in the current rate, and thus the first device reduces its rate of sending packets to the second device to a non-zero rate.

In one embodiment, the first device 140 identifies starting point of a frame based on the difference between the second idle sequence and the basic idle sequence. Optionally, the M bitwise complement code words are located at M predetermined locations relative to the end of the idle sequence.

In one embodiment, the first device 140 receives the idle sequence and determines, based on the difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer 146 of the second device 144 is full or expected to get full, and thus the first device stop sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a second idle sequence to the first device during a following inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the second idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is not full and thus the first device resumes sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a third idle sequence to the first device during a third inter-packet gap. The second device is further configured to encode in the third idle sequence to be indicative of the space available in the buffer, and the first device is further configured to determine, based on a difference between the third idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, the amount of data to be transmitted to the second device based on the indication of the space available in the buffer. Alternatively, the second device receives a low bandwidth signal, and then sends a third idle sequence to the first device during a third inter-packet gap. Then the first device extracts the low bandwidth signal from a difference between the third idle sequence and the basic idle sequence.

Optionally, the full-duplex communication link 142 is an asymmetric full-duplex communication link, and the maximum throughput from the first device 140 to the second device 144 is at least ten times higher than the maximum throughput from the second device 144 to the first device 140. Optionally, the code words are symbols, and the communication link utilizes 8b/10b encoding.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a method for implementing a frequent flow control without using unique symbols or designated packets. The method includes the following steps: In step 153, sending, from a first device to a second device over a full-duplex communication link, high throughput packet communication of more than 1 Gb/s. In step 154, temporarily storing the high throughput packet communication in a buffer of the second device. In step 155, calculating, by the second device, a basic idle code word sequence known to the first device. In step 156, producing an idle sequence by replacing certain M code words of the basic idle sequence with M bitwise complement code words. In step 157, transmitting the idle sequence to the first device during inter-packet gap. Wherein each bitwise complement code word appears in the basic idle sequence, and the M bitwise complement code words are indicative of the fullness of the buffer. In step 158, receiving the idle sequence by the first device. And in step 159, determining, by the first device, based on a difference between the idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is full or expected to get full, and thus the first device stop sending packets to the second device.

In one embodiment, the second device sends a second idle sequence to the first device during a second inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the second idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is not full and thus the first device resumes sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a third idle sequence to the first device during a third inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the third idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is not expected to get full in the current rate, and thus the first device increases its rate of sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a fourth idle sequence to the first device during a fourth inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the fourth idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is expected to get full in the current rate, and thus the first device reduces its rate of sending packets to the second device to a non-zero rate.

In an alternative embodiment, the second device sends a second idle sequence to the first device during a second inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the second idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is not full and thus the first device resumes sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device sends a third idle sequence to the first device during a third inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the third idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, an amount of data to be transmitted to the second device.

In still alternative embodiment, the second device sends a second idle sequence to the first device during a second inter-packet gap, and the first device determines, based on a difference between the second idle sequence and the basic idle sequence, that the buffer is not full and thus the first device resumes sending packets to the second device. Sometime later, the second device receives a low bandwidth signal, and then sends a third idle sequence to the first device during a third inter-packet gap. The first device extracts the low bandwidth signal from a difference between the third idle sequence and the basic idle sequence.

In one embodiment, the first device further identifies the starting point of a frame based on the difference between the second idle sequence and the basic idle sequence. Optionally, the M bitwise complement code words are located at M predetermined locations relative to the end of the idle sequence.

Herein, a predetermined value, such as a predetermined confidence level or a predetermined threshold, is a fixed value and/or a value determined any time before performing a calculation that compares a certain value with the predetermined value. A value is also considered to be a predetermined value when the logic, used to determine whether a threshold that utilizes the value is reached, is known before start of performing computations to determine whether the threshold is reached.

In this description, references to “one embodiment” mean that the feature being referred to may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Moreover, separate references to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, references to “one embodiment” and “another embodiment” may not necessarily refer to different embodiments, but may be terms used, at times, to illustrate different aspects of an embodiment.

The embodiments of the invention may include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the features of the embodiments described herein. Although some embodiments may depict serial operations, the embodiments may perform certain operations in parallel and/or in different orders from those depicted. Moreover, the use of repeated reference numerals and/or letters in the text and/or drawings is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. The embodiments are not limited in their applications to the details of the order or sequence of steps of operation of methods, or to details of implementation of devices, set in the description, drawings, or examples. Moreover, individual blocks illustrated in the figures may be functional in nature and therefore may not necessarily correspond to discrete hardware elements.

While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular steps performed in a particular order, it is understood that these steps may be combined, sub-divided, and/or reordered to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the embodiments. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the steps is not a limitation of the embodiments. Furthermore, methods and mechanisms of the embodiments will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, some embodiments may include multiple iterations of a method or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, when a processor is disclosed in one embodiment, the scope of the embodiment is intended to also cover the use of multiple processors. Certain features of the embodiments, which may have been, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in various combinations in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the embodiments, which may have been, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Embodiments described in conjunction with specific examples are presented by way of example, and not limitation. Moreover, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for seamless addition of new high bandwidth lanes, comprising: exchanging indications between first and second devices about adding the new high bandwidth lanes; wherein during the exchanging of the indications, the first device sends data to the second device using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over at least one first-to-second (f2s) active high bandwidth lane, the second device sends data to the first device using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over at least one second-to-first (s2f) active high bandwidth lane, and the new high bandwidth lanes are off; wherein adding the new high bandwidth lanes is to be done smoothly and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the f2 s and s2f active high bandwidth lanes; sending, by the first device, an idle sequence using 7b/10b code words over the new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to continuing to send and receive the 8b/10b data with a fixed delay over the f2 s and s2f active high bandwidth lanes; sending, by the first device over the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane, a synchronization sequence during an inter packet gap; and further comprising sending by the first device, over the new high bandwidth lanes and in parallel to a predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, a known non-idle sequence; utilizing, by the second device, the known non-idle sequence for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes; and sending, by the first device, a transition sequence over both the at least one f2s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein immediately after sending the transition sequence, the first device is ready to transmit high bandwidth data using 8b/10b code words over both the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the idle sequence is encoded using 7b/10b coding of the 7 least significant bits of 8 bits of a scrambler of the first device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronization sequence is encoded with a higher error resistance than the error resistance of a data payload.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the synchronization sequence comprises at least one bitwise complement 7b/10b code word of the expected idle code word, followed by at least one idle 7b/10b code word.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the synchronization sequence comprises two bitwise complement 7b/10b code words of the expected idle code words, followed by two idle 7b/10b code words.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the known non-idle sequence is a /K/ symbols within 7b/10b and 8b /10b line codes.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the /K/ symbol is sent over the new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to the second bitwise complement code word.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein the /K/ symbol is sent in parallel over both the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the exchanged indications are selected from messages and signal indications that are not conveyed by packets.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the steps related to deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes randomly every 65 to 128 symbols of 7b/10b code words, at least until achieving deskew.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring, by the first device, the round-trip delay between the first device and the second device by the second device reflecting the received known non-idle sequence back to the first device over the s2f high bandwidth lane, and counting by the first device the time between the transmitted sequence to the reflected sequence.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the transition sequence sent over both the at least one f2 s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes is sent during an inter packet gap over the m2s active high bandwidth lane.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending, by the second device, a message indicating it is ready to receive data over the new high bandwidth lanes.
 15. A method for seamless addition of new high bandwidth lanes, comprising: exchanging messages between a slave and a master; wherein during the exchanging of the messages, the slave sends data to the master using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over a slave-to-master (s2m) active high bandwidth lane, the master sends data to a slave using 8b/10b code words with a fixed delay over a master-to-slave (m2s) active high bandwidth lane, the master sends clock indication to a slave over a clock lane, and the new high bandwidth lanes are off; wherein the exchanged messages are about adding the new high bandwidth lanes to the s2m active high bandwidth lane; and wherein adding the new high bandwidth lanes is to be done smoothly and without interrupting the fixed delay transmissions over the s2m and m2s active high bandwidth lanes; sending, by the slave, an idle sequence using 7b/10b code words over the new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to continuing to send and receive the 8b/10b data with a fixed delay over the s2m and m2s active high bandwidth lanes; sending, by the slave over the s2m active high bandwidth lane, a synchronization sequence during an inter packet gap; and further comprising sending by the slave, over the new high bandwidth lanes and in parallel to a predetermined point within the synchronization sequence, a known non-idle sequence; utilizing, by the master, the known non-idle sequence for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes; and sending, by the slave, a transition sequence over both the s2m active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein immediately after sending the transition sequence, the slave is ready to transmit high bandwidth data using 8b/10b code words over both the at least one s2m active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the idle sequence is encoded using 7b/10b coding of the 7 least significant bits of 8 bits of a scrambler of the slave.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the synchronization sequence is encoded with a higher error resistance than the error resistance of a data payload.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the synchronization sequence comprises at least one bitwise complement 7b/10b code word of the expected idle code word, followed by at least one idle 7b/10b code word.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the synchronization sequence comprises two bitwise complement 7b/10b code words of the expected idle code words, followed by two idle 7b/10b code words.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the known non-idle sequence is a /K/ symbols within 7b/10b and 8b /10b line codes.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the /K/ symbol is sent over the new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to the second bitwise complement code word.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the /K/ symbol is sent in parallel over both the s2m active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.
 24. The method of claim 15, further comprising measuring, by the slave, the round-trip delay between the slave and the master by the master reflecting the received known non-idle sequence back to the slave over the m2s high bandwidth lane, and counting by the slave the time between the transmitted sequence to the reflected sequence. 